Month: April 2019

new boy claims he will not be distracted by the gCity boss Stuart Pearce says they could miss injured defender Aymeric Laporte.City not replacing Vincent Kompany could prove costly this season following the injury to Laporte, claims Pearce."Hindsight's a wonderful thing," Pearce said on The Debate.rowing number of clubs interested in him. Liverpool have joined Everton and Leicester in eyeing up Keane, who has blossomed into one of England’s best young defensive talents at Keane, 24, insists his focus is on guaranteeing Burnley’s survival and they are on the fringe of the relegation scrap after a run of three points from seven games. “It’s inevitable really, these things happen, but I’ve dealt with it all throughout the season and I won’t let it affect me,” said the centre-half. “I’m fully focused on Burnley. “We’ve got some big games coming up and we need to make sure we stay in the Premier League, so it won’t affect me at all. “The first thing in our heads is survival, but we think we’ve got enough to do more than that. We just need a win soon to see where tl great Tony Adams admits watching his old club for the past decade has been "depressing".Adams fears for the club's long-term future with the side stuck in mid-table and facing another year without Champions League football.He told the Mirror: “Ithat takes us.” Will Michael Keane establish himself as an England regular?0+ VOTES SO FAR

If there's anything we can all agree on, it's that we're a bit terrified of the blokes who've been selected to play at the . Every single one of them is a physical powerhouse, a muscular giant who could crush us into human dust with a single meaty hand. We have good reason to fear them. Whisper these names quietly, lest you stir their mighty anger - these are the 15 hardest players at the Rugby World Cup. Sonny Bill Williams () Sonny Bill might be 6"4 and 17 stone, but that's not even the half of his fear factor. As well has having played both rugby league and rugby unions at the highest level - representing his country in both disciplines - he's also moonlighted as a heavyweight boxer. He fought professionally from 2009 to 2013, winning all six of his bouts. Only when he got himself into the top 100 of the heavyweight rankings did he return his focus to the All Blacks. Fancy yourself against a boxing, multi-discipline rugby giant? No, we didn't think so. Paul O'Connell () Just look at Paul O'Connell. Just look at him. His skull could probably be used to demolish a prehistoric rock face. He's terrifying, end of. As well as being one of the most inspirational leaders at the tournament, the 6"6 lock forward if also Ireland's fourth most capped player and the joint-fifteenth most capped player in rugby union history. Only a man made of pure steel can achieve such longevity in so physical a sport. Sam Burgess () Though relatively new to rugby ugned full-back Tyler Reid on a two-year deal following his release by Championship Swansea City.The 21 year old has also had spells in the Arsenal and Manchester United academy ranks and will move to the County Ground on 1 July."All I want to do is fnion, Sam comes with a real reputation. He tackles like a wrecking ball and runs like a charging bull, but it's his pain threshold that really marks him out. Back when he was still playing rugby league, he broke his eyesocket and cheek bone early in the 2014 NRL final Down Under. He then played on for the rest of the match with a face like a smashed watermelon. Now that's hard. Richie McCaw (New Zealand) When Richie McCaw smiles at you, you must prepare for your puny existence to end. The powerful flanker plays a brand of rugby that can only be described as totally brutal - nobody becomes most capped test rugby player of all time without being an absolute maniac on the pitch. He's epitomised by his decision to play almost the entirety of the last World Cup campaign with a broken bone in his foot - human pain clearly means nothing to him. Our advice for those trying to stop him? Give up and run. Richie is coming for you. Jacques Burger (Namibia) Namibia may be minnows at the World Cup, but they are at least led by one of the most resilient men in the business. Seen as one of the toughest tackles in the Aviva Premiership having spent the last 5 years playing for Saracens, Burger rises to the challenge of carrying his nation almost single-handedly with gusto and relish. His nose bears testament to the battering he's taken in the process. Flat as a pancake, that schnoz. Fair play. Mathieu Bastareaud () One of the biggest tanks in the competition at almost 20 stone, Bastareaud is a merciless player - his momentum is almost unstoppable. Seemingly capable of taking any bruising defensive tackle and then charging forward on yet another roaring run, he's France's not-so-secret weapon. Then again, there's no need to keep him secret. He'll bulldoze everyone either way. Alun Wyn Jones () For a while after the 2013 Six Nations the words "Alun Wyn Jones is watching you" were trending on Twitter. What more needs to be said? He's the hardest Welshman around - and we include the cast-iron statue of Dylan Thomas down in Swansea Marina. Bismarck du Plessis () Du Plessis is as mean as he is hard - a cruel streak runs through his game. He was banned for three weeks for gouging All Black Adam Thomson in 2008, while five years later he received two yellow cards in one match against New Zealand for a brutal illegal tackle on Dan Carter and an elbow to Liam Messam's throat. The latter yellow was overturned, to be fair. But still. Jamie Cudmore (Canada) He's nicknamed 'Cuddles', but he's not always cuddly. A Canadian logger by trade, he spent a year in a juvenile detention centre as a youth after getting mixed up with local drug dealers. Thankfully, he now channels his inner rebel on the rugby pitch. Nonetheless, not one to mess with. Nobody could sum Kalamafoni up better than his former Gloucester boss Nigel Davies. The Welshman described the Tongan back rower as "a big kid in a mini rugby game when he gets going at times - he causes carnage all over the place once he hits his stride". Add to that the fact that he reportedly once saved seven children from a burning Tongan orphanage, and he seems like a true rugby brave. A tough guy and a great guy. Well played, Sione. He's nicknamed 'Gorgodzilla', he's 6"5 and 19 stone - we reckon he the one that kept him out for three months earlier this season.Pogba will be out for three to four weeks after undergoing surgery to address an ankle issue.“Here we go again," said Solskjaer. “FA Cup third round and you're talking about Paul."Pa could probably destroy the city of Tokyo if he tried. Also called 'Gulliver' by teammates, because he's a giant amongst men. Rugby players don't get much bigger than Mamuka. A former fireman, the Japanese lock saw his family home and dairy farm almost completely wiped out after the earthquake that triggered the Fukishima nuclear disaster back in 2011. The fact that he's still representing his country at the World Cup says everything about his personal endurance. Unstoppable. Another player who treads the disciplinary tightrope, Matera escaped punishment for the alleged eye-gouging of Springboks flanker Francois Louw back in 2013 - he also apparently got into a high-profile punch up at a disco in his native Argentina earlier this year. He's a bit of a firecracker, then. As a supremely physical flanker, he's got good reason to back himself. At 6ft 8ins and 18st 7lbs, Eben is a pretty petrifying proposition. Not as petrifying as some of his family, however. While his dad is a Cape Town policeman - a pretty dicey job, we imagine - his uncle Clifford was a renowned hardman in South African domestic rugby back in the 70s and 80s and is now a tasty wrestler. Eben comes as part of a package. A big, scary package. Pascal is a massive presence on the field, but that doesn't stop him from attempting a bit of skullduggery every now and then. He was banned for 10 weeks for kneeing Jamie Heaslip in the back in the 2015 Six Nations, leaving the Ireland No.8 with left with three broken vertebrae. Brutish. We hope we haven't offended anyone here. Please don't hurt us, you monstrous man-fiends. Who is the hardest player at the Rugby World Cup?0+ VOTES SO FAR

knows Sean Dyche could have stood back and smiled to himself as his career imploded at Rangers. After all, Barton created the mess by snubbing Dyche’s offer of a new deal to move to Ibrox. But Dyche does not do petty and instead made a phone call no other manager was prepared to make when he rang Barton to offer him the chance to return to Burnley. Barton is grateful for the lifeline and feels his winner, scored just five minutes into his Premier League return, justified Dyche’s gamble. “The gaffer has shown an incredible amount of faith in me in amongst the circus that kind of goes on around me,” he said. “The reception from the fans... I left this club so they would have been within their rights to boo me. That reception makes me incredibly humble and I was just so proud to come on and receive that. “I’m intent on giving all I can and when I score, it goes some way to validate the gaffer’s faith in me – and the players because they didn’t have to accept me back the way they have. “I’m not standing here saying that’s two fingers up to anybody. Life’s too short for that. I just feel incredibly privileged and humble to be given the opportunity to be back playing for this football club.” Barton, 34, has experienced just about everything in his big dipper of a career, but even he never imagined coming off the bench to score his first Premier League goal since April 2015 in his second spell. “It hasn’t been an easy couple of months as you can imagine,” said Barton who has not lost any of his 25 games for the Clarets. “There are not that many players who take that route of going to Scotland and it doesn’t work out. “Then it’s January, you’re back playing in the Premier League and scoring the winner in a Premier League game. Even I didn’t think that was possible. “Sometimes things just work out funny and football is a funny old game.” There could be another twist to the current board are determined to lift the club to match it's past glories.The Rossonero have this week been celebrating it's 120th birthday.Gazidis, in a speech at Casa Milan, stated: "Today, Milan has a great record of success and champions, inclBarton’s crazy story as he faces a ban for betting on 1,260 matches over a 10-year period. That is a problem for another day and his strike condemned goal-shy Southampton to a fourth straight league defeat. Saints have the worst conversion rate in the Premier League and have managed a paltry 19 goals – the second-lowest total t for Paul Pogba.United were thought to be against considering a sale of Pogba, however, recent developments have changed the situation, and according to Marca, the Red Devils are now searching for a replacement.Lazio's Milinkovic-Savic, is their No in the top flight – from 110 shots. They failed to score from their five efforts on target against Burnley and Oriol Romeu claims they must be more clinical. “I think we had chances to score,” said the midfielder. “Looking at the chances created, we played well. But we need to be the team trying to put the ball in the net, not the one that doesn’t. “We are creating chances, so hopefully we can get more goals soon.” Will Joey Barton be a success back at Burnley?0+ VOTES SO FAR

Pep Guardiola claims there will be changes at as he vowed to improve on his disappointing first season. Guardiola will beginhave confirmed they had two offers for their former star turned down by PSG over the summer.And Blaugrana icon Iniesta said: "I do not know how the negotiations took place nor what happened. "If Neymar returns in the future, I'm sure he will be an im rebuilding City's squad straight after tomorrow's final game at Watford, where he hopes to seal an automatic Champions League spot, and he wants at least five new players. Kyle Walker and Virgil van Dijk are his top targets as he pursues two full-backs, a centre-half, an attacker and a goalkeeper. Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart and Jesus Navas lead those heading for the exit and Guardiola says he has assessed who should stay and who should go. "I know about my players," said the City boss. "I learnt a lot about what we have to do to make these players better and win the games. "We are going to make changes, but a lot of players are going to remain." Guardiola will be back behind his desk on Monday, planning for next season, and he admits City have much to do to close the huge gap between them and Chelsea. After his huge success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Guardiola has endured a chastening debut campaign and is determined City will be title challengers next season. "Normally the big teams always fight until the end, and after that you can win or lose," said the Spaniard. "In the Premier League, we didn't fight until the end for the results because two teams were better than us and we dropped a lot of points at home. "We must improve on that next season. Depending on what happens the day after tomorrow, we are going to finish 15 or 17 points behind first and second. The gap to the leaders is big. "We have to work harder next season to reduce that gap." Guardiola feels City can take the first step by beating Watford to guarantee third place ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal and qualify directly for next season's Champions League. "We still have 95, 96 minutes to fight to do one thing that's so important for the club and the future and that's to be in the last three," he said. "So it's a crucial game for us. It's a final, it's an absolute final. "Of course, it's in our hands. It depends on us. We just look at what we have to do - win the game. "Watford were one team during the season we had a good result against at home. Now we will travel tomorrow to London to win again. "Yes, there is pressure, every game has pressure. Every game, we play for everything, but it's in our hands. "It doesn't depend on Arsenal or Liverpool. It depends on us. We have to go there and win the gam revealed he's turned down an offer to buy the club.De Laurentiis says he was approached by an intermediary promising a massive bid.He recalled to Corriere dello Sport: "A gentleman approached me with circumspection and told me that he would present e." Will Pep Guardiola win the title with Man City?8000+ VOTES SO FAR

Leicester's stars will scoop a £1million Las Vegas jackpot if they win . Foxes billionaire Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha will put the seven-figure sum into a kitty to get the party started in the Nevada desert resort if , and co are crowned champions of the top flight. are already on course to trouser £6.5m, which will be divided equally between them, as a bonus for finishing the season 12th or above. That was agreed with club management pai Emery has yet to decide who he will start in goals for Wednesday's Europa League final against Chelsea.Retiring goalkeeper Petr Cech has played in each of Arsenal's knockout games since the turn of the year and was expected to be a certainty to strior to the campaign, when survival was a more realistic aim for a club that only just avoided relegation last season than winning the competition. But should they pull off the biggest Premier League shock by being crowned champions of England then they will be handed a Vefeat to Chelsea.The former Southampton defender was at fault for both of Chelsea's goals in Lille's Europa League defeat.Fonte told RMC: "If you play badly you pay for it. We conceded two goals because we made two mistakes. We are a very young team, gas slush fund as well. Ranieri’s table-toppers are right in the thick of the action on Sunday, and will extend their lead over second-placed Arsenal and third-placed Tottenham if they beat the Gunners and Spurs fail to beat Manchester City, who are fourth. Leicester have won their last three Premier League games, against Stoke, Liverpool and Manuel Pellegrini’s City. Following , five of their remaining 12 league fixtures are against sides currently in the bottom half of the table. Who will win today's clash at The Emirates?2000+ VOTES SO FAR

Lazio's Serie A tie against was suspended this evening for by home fans towards opposition centre-half Kalidou Koulibaly. Reports f top goal scorer Everton Soares.That's according to theManchester Evening News.The club are looking for options to replace the Inter Milan-bound Romelu Lukaku and the Red Devils are said to consider Soares a top target.The 23-year-old broke into the rom the game say monkey chants were heard from the stands when the referee decided to halt the match on the 68th minute with s never a serious option.The 21-year-old was selected in Gareth Southgate's latest squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria earlier this month.Tomori's parents are of Nigerian descent while he is also eligible for Canadathe score at 2-0 to Napoli. The players did resume the match shortly afterwards, and there were no more goals before the full-time whistle. Italian media report that chants were first aimed towards the city of Naples, before becoming of a more racist nature. could be given a huge fine for the behaviour of their supporters. Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri praised referee Massimiliano Irrati for stopping the match after the game, and said he was 'sorry' to hear the abuse that was allegedly directed at Koulibaly. Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon scored for the visitors to leave them top of Serie A, two points clear of Juventus. Lazio are ninth.

admits he was surprised to see quit Southampton for Everton. But, ahead of Koemanth Fulham for Jean Michel Seri.Though he only moved to Fulham last summer from Nice, Seri has no interest in sticking around after their relegation was confirmed.France Football says Monaco are aware of Seri's plans and have now approached Fulham abo’s first return to St Mary’s tomorrow, the Saints defender says he can also understand why his fellow Dutchman made the move. Southampton were left searching for a new manager again in the summer after Koeman performed a u-turn to join Everton. He initially insisted he would see out the final year of his contract. However, Koeman explained at his Everton unveiling that things only changed after Southampton refused to let him stay without signing a new deal and that the extension oll. The inconsistent German currently tops the club's wage earners with a contract reportedly worth £350,000-per-week. "I can understand that if Emery is not a fan of Ozil he needs to move on so that Arsenal can get somebody else, but that is very dn offer “was not what I liked to see.” Defender Van Dijk said: “Yes, I was surprised he left. “Was I upset? Upset is not the right word. It was his decision and in the end I understand a bit of his decision. “They put him in a difficult situation but I think everyone was surprised but we have moved on. “We have a good coach now (Claude Puel) and he is getting the maximum out of us. It takes a bit of time but I am confident it will work.” Koeman is guaranteed a hostile welcome from Saints fans when he brings his new club back to his old. But Van Dijk insisted: “It is just another game. We want to win, especially at home. We want to have the good feeling that we had against Liverpool. “Everton is going to be another big game to win and hopefully we will make that happen. “It doesn’t really matter to the players. We just have to focus on ourselves and our play and we have plenty of quality to win the game on Sunday.” Van Dijk was brought to the Premier League by Koeman in 2015 and he said: “I don’t speak about memories. I have spoken to him but that is between him and me. “I am very grateful for everything he has done for me. Now he is working for Everton and I am still playing for Southampton. I am focusing on my team and he is on his.” Who will win at St Mary's on Sunday?0+ VOTES SO FAR

Derby County have confirmed they have contacted police over reports a supporter racially abused an opposition player during Saturday's match against The Radi has announced he's extended his contract with Juventus.The midfielder was due to become a free agent this summer and had been linked with a return to PSG.But Matuidi announced on Sport24 last night: "In my contract there was an option for another ms say they are 'concerned' by the allegations, which came to light after Seagulls goalkeeper David Stockdale tweeted after the game, which finished 2-2. Stockdale posted: "Disgusted that a fan today racially abused one of our players... No place in the world should any person have to take that! #kickitout." PC Darren Balkham, liaison for Brighton fans, replied to the tweet confirming he had been contacted about the incident and would speak to colleagues in the Midlands. The Derby statement read: "Derby County are concerned to hear about allegations of racial s ready to leave in January.Blic says Matic isn't short of offers, despite currently being out injured. He has managed just two Premier League starts this season.Juventus, Inter and AC Milan, of Italy, along with Borussia Dortmund, are all in contactabuse by a supporter directed at a Brighton & Hove Albion player during Saturday's game at the iPro Stadium. "We take these matters seriously and will be referring the allegations to the Police. "Abuse of any kind has no place in the culture of Derby County Football Club." A late Chris Martin penalty earned a point for the Rams, but Brighton remain top, keeping their unbeaten record so far this season. Will Brighton go up this season?0+ VOTES SO FAR

Mark Lawrenson is baffled by Liverpool's decision to hand Everton have confirmed caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson will take charge of their Carabao Cup quarter-final at Leicester City on Wednesday.The Toffees drew 1-1 at Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, which followed a 3-1 home win over Chelsea in Ferguson's first game.a new deal to . The Frenchman made his first appearance of the season in Thursday's Europa League draw with Bordeaux. 24 hours later to commit himself to Anfield until 2020. However, Reds legend Lawrenson has questioned why the defender hasn't featured more regularly. He wrote in his column in the Liverpool Echo: "I understand Liverpool have been keen for some time for Sakho to commit to a new deal. In pictures - Bordeaux 1-1 Liverpool "So if that was the case, why hasn’t he been playing? The Frenchman was even named captain in France! "It’s nice that Sakho played well on Thursday, but let’s not forget it was against an average French team. It’s very difficult to work out what it all means. "It does feel as though Brendan Rodgers is making his decisions on the hoof at present. "Rodgers clearly didn’t fancy Sakho a few weeks ago. So why were Liverpool even considering a long-term contract for him? Talk about mixed messages. "Now it looks as though Sakho has done enough to keep his place for the visit of Norwich City." Should Mamadou Sakho be weighing up a surprise move for Hellas Verona defender Marash Kumbulla.The Albanian international stopper has been scouted regularly by United this season with discussions now taking place about tabling an offer to Verona in the coming days.l'Arena rin Liverpool's starting line-up?1000+ VOTES SO FAR

We know Marcus Rashford is a very talented kid. We know has had a incredible first season at We know has the potential to go to the very top of the game. But suggesting the 19 year-old striker is already playing like one of the worldt of his squad for victory at Burnley.Pogba made just his second appearance since September in that 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford two days ago, as the Frenchman continues his comeback from an ankle injury.And Solskjaer didn't want's top footballers? That sort of comparison is exactly what many United fans - concer Marc Guehi was delighted to get a start against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.Guehi was solid all game, despite his team losing 2-1 and failing to reach the quarter-finals.But the youngster equipped himself well in central defence, keeping erned about being over-hyped - are trying to avoid. Bear that in mind when you watch the clip above, which features highly respected BBC pundit Pat Nevin giving his views on Talking about one particular bit of Rashford skill, Nevin suggests there is only one other player who could have done it. Neymar. That's right. The former Chelsea, Everton and Scotland winger has directly compared a young kid with 18 first-team appearances to a Ballon d'Or nominee who has won nearly every trophy in the game. We would offer our own opinion of this analysis, but this tweet really says it all: Is Marcus Rashford as good as Neymar?0+ VOTES SO FAR

Manchester United icon has been pictured in Beirut for the Game of Legends. The former midfielder will be joined by a number of football heroes for the friendly between international and Lebanese stars. Playing alongside Scholes will be the likes of Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo, Michel Salgado, Carles Puyol, David Trezeguet and Marco Materazzi. The friendly is being billed as an 'action-packed festival of football' and will take place at Fouad Chehab Stadium on Saturday afternoon, meaning Scholes will miss out on the Manchester derby. Not that he'll mind too much, of course. The BT Sport pundit has claimed that . The Salford co-owner said: “I probably do enjoy watching Salford more. “I don’t know if it’s as much that I don’t like the hassle of going to the game, getting in, sitting in traffic. ia use of some fans.Lampard believes it has contributed to the abuse now engulfing the game.He says some fans are spending entire games posting their views on social media rather than watching the action."Maybe social media has made it worse around, “Going to Salford, I park up behind the goal and get out of my car. But I genuinely get more enjoyment from watching even my son’s team, Royter Town. “I don’t find elite football as interesting to watch any more, especially in England,” said Scholes, writing in Class of 92: Out of our Leaguee favourite to replace Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus after the club confirmed the Italian coach will leave at the end of the season.The 51-year-old Italian coach has won five Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia four times during his five years in . “In the Premier League in the last two years, have I really seen a game of high quality? A game that I’ve thought ‘Wow!’ It’s difficult to think of any. “You hear about people saying English football’s the best football there is around. I think Spain’s by far the best league. Germany has better teams. In Italy probably the strength in depth isn’t great.

Manchester United new boy Tahith Chong has celebrated his move to the Red Devils with an impressive cake. The 16-year-old Dutchman will leave Feyernoord for Old Trafford having been at the club since the age of 10, He announced the switch on Instagram after changing his profile to 'future player of - although he is yet to formally unveiled by the club. Chong's arrival is set to be the first of a number of changes at youth level following Nicky Butt's appointment as academy cheif. The former United and England midfielder has already revealed he is eyeing up 'the best young players in Europe'. He said in March: “It’s the sed player list.Arsenal have confirmed the departure of Danny Welbeck, who leaves the club at the end of his current contract along with goalkeeper Petr Cech and defender Stephan Lichtsteiner.Midfielder Aaron Ramsey, meanwhileUnited-Unai-Emery-Wayne-Rooney-Zlatan-Ibrahimovic">Sunday Express says he is currently the second-highest-paid player in the Premier League behind Alexis Sanchez earning £350,000-a-week.Gunners bosses are keen to get him off the payroll and his repr, is joining Juventus assame as any other club. We all want to attract the best young players in Europe, at whatever age, and we’re exactly the same."

will take on Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the . The Gunners topped Group A aerton fullback Jonjoe Kenny has enjoyed his first month with Schalke.The 22-year-old played the full 90 minutes as David Wagner's side cruised to a 5-0 win over SV Drochtersen/Assel in the first round of the DFB-Pokal."I like the way we play a lot, Ifter pipping PSG to first place with their dramatic 3-2 final group game win over Ludogorets. But they now face a tough task against the Bundesliga champions. men will travel to the Allianz Arena for their first leg clasng former teammate Frank Lampard succeeding as Chelsea manager.Lampard guided Chelsea into the Champions League spots before the season was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.He told Frank Khalid: "It's been incredible because we said there wah on February 15 - following Arsenal's clash at home to . As group winners they are seeded for the tie, meaning they will play the crucial second leg at the Emirates Stadium on March 7. That decisive game follows the Gunners visit to title rivals on March 4. Champions League last 16 draw in full Manchester City vs Monaco Real Madrid vs Napoli Benfica vs Dortmund Bayern Munich vs Arsenal Porto vs Juventus Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid PSG vs Barcelona Sevilla vs Leicester Will Arsenal win the Champions League this season?0+ VOTES SO FAR

Jurgen has explained why he lost his cool with Liverpool's fans at Anfield during the Merseyside derby on Saturday. won the clash against 3-1 thinternational made 97 appearances for Spurs over three-and-a-half years at the club, but has found regular game-time difficult to come by in this campaign. Wanyama could make his debut for Montreal against FC Dallas on Saturday - Henry's side won theanks to goals from Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi. Fans in the Kop began chanting the Reds boss's name with five minutes to go, with Liverpool comfortably leading the encounter. But instead of taking the chant as a compliment, Klopp proceeded to charge to the tighted to keep a clean sheet in Arsenal's win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.The Gunners kickstarted their Europa League campaign with a 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.Martinez said afterouchline and point to his watch at the fans. Speaking after the game, Klopp explained his actions, he said: "I've said it a few times, of course the crowd can do what they want but I thought at this moment, 'I don't know why. The game is still five/six minutes to go, how can they start now?'. "It's difficult for me to understand. For me it's a sign it's [the game] done. And the game is done when it's done - at the final whistle, not a minute earlier.

Sir Geoff Hurst is the perfect judge when it comes to And there is no doubt in his mind that will go down as a legend – even if he has not played in a glorious era. Hurst scored a hat-trick in England’s finest hour when they lifted the World Cup 50 years ago next summer. Rooney’s best moments were ­arguably in Euro 2004, when he burst on the scene, and the 2006 World Cup, which was curtailed in 2006 by a red card. But the 29-year-old now needs just two more goals to overtake Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s record scorer, and he has a great chance to do so in the with San Marino and ­Switzerland. “There is no doubt that he will finish his career as record goalscorer for Manchester United and for England,” said Hurst. “That definitely makes him an all-time great for club and country. There is no debate. “You can only judge players from their own era and he is such a gifted player even if it’s from a time when England haven’t been as successful. “I often get asked whether he would make the England squad for the 1966 World Cup. “I always laugh and ask, ‘Would he have been in front of me? Well, would heek.Mundo Deportivo says Barca are anxiously seeking to offload players from their overloaded midfield, with England the best route.Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Rafinha are all up for sale, as is Philippe Coutinho, though his agent Kia Joorabchian e have scored four goals in the World Cup Final?’” Hurst scored the most famous hat-trick in England’s finest hour but his tally of 24 goals in 49 caps is short of the likes of Rooney, Charlton, Jimmy Greaves, Michael Owen and Gary Lineker. But Rooney is often looked at as their poor relation purely because he has not played in a glorious era. Charlton was one of the heroes of ’66, Owen was a member of the Golden Generation and Lineker reached the semi-finals at Italia 90. Rooney may end up being ­remembered as the headline act in a string of England failures. But the reason why Charlton’s 49 goals in 106 matches will always stand out for Sir Geoff is the fact that he scored them from midfield. “Wayne Rooney is a front player, Bobby Charlton wasn’t. He scored those goals from midfield,” said Hurst. “When you think about that, it makes it all the more ­remarkable. “But the beauty of Rooney is that he is a brilliant team player, he can play up front, wide left, drop behind and always gives 100 per cent. “He can score ­spectacular goals, use his head and has got great ­technique. He’s got pace and works hard and makes good runs. He’s got ­everything. “Rooney was also a star as a kid and he’s had so much to cope with through his career but he’s always stayed successful for Manchester United and kept on scoring for England. “People will jump on the ­bandwagon when he has a dry spell, but when he does score he tends to score in the next seven or eight games and I’m sure he’ll do the same again. “I watched him score a hat-trick for United in the Champions League against Bruges and that was no shock to me. One of his great strengths is that he keeps working, keeps going for chances and that means the goals will always come. “He always given everything for his country. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I know the FA are planning to mark the occasion and he has asked for Sir Bobby Charlton to make any presentation should he be record goalscorer.” is taking part in a new film “BO66Y” to mark the 50th ­anniversary of England’s only World Cup victory next summer and pay tribute to the late great Bobby Moore. It will also feature interviews with Gary Lineker and Roy Hodgson. It is supported by the FA and a share of profits go to the Bobby Moore Fund for research into bowel cancer. Hurst cherishes memories of 1966 and is positive about Hodgson’s ­prospects at the Euros despite last year’s disaster at the World Cup. “The closest we’ve come to 1966 was in Italia 90,” said Hurst. “Recently it’s been more disappointing and last summer was a real setback. “But there are some good young players and Roy Hodgson has learnt from his disappointment so I think England will be much stronger. “It would be wonderful to think that we can celebrate 50 years since ’66 with a good year and also make a great tribute to “Unlike Rooney, he wasn’t a star as a kid. He wouldn’t mind me saying that he had to work hard for his career and make the most of his talent. But that shows his attitude, determination and discipline. “I don’t think we’ve had anyone with his stature of leadership since. He was a great man. It was an honour to play alongside him.” Geoff Hurst's guide to England's goalscoring greats To score that many goals from midfield is just a remarkable achievement. He was a great player, capable of a brilliant shot but also a brilliant player to have in the team. He was a clever player, won so much and will go down as one of the all time greats in world football. The fact that Sir Bobby might make the presentation to Wayne Rooney if he beats his record is just perfect. Jimmy was ten years ahead of his time. A born poacher. I’ll always remember him missing a penalty at Spurs and he ran back and said to me: “Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t.” That was just so typical of a striker who, even if he missed, picked himself and went again. That’s what the greats do. His sense of anticipation and speed of thought was exceptional. His greatest quality as a player. In comparison to Rooney, Lineker was not so much of a team player. Lineker was superb at putting the ball in the back of the net. He was quick, a fantastic finisher but he was very much an out and out goalscorer. Mind you, he was of the highest quality. Italia 90 was as close as we’ve come since 66. A brilliant finisher. A real wonder boy, great finisher and broke through so young. But rather like Gary Lineker, he was more of a finisher and a poacher than an all round team player for Wayne Rooney. Again, he was a part of a generation which could have been more successful - and should have been. It is impossible to compare players from different times but Rooney is an England great. He has a fantastic work rate, his goal record is impressive and is a real team player. He can also score spectacular goals and, because of his age, he has the opportunity to really extend the record and make it his own. How, when and where Rooney has scored his 48 England goals Penalties Free-Kicks Left foot Right foot Head First-Half Second-Half Inside Box Outside Box 0-15min 16-30min 31-45min 46-60min 61-75min 76-90min Home Away Neutral Qualifiers Friendlies Tournaments ...and who against. Wayne Rooney vs Opposition Croatia San Marino Kazakhstan Switzerland Andorra Belarus Brazil Bulgaria Denmark Estonia Iceland Montenegro Poland Scotland Slovakia Slovenia Argentina Ecuador Holland Liechtenstein Lithuania Macedonia Norreas Pereira was delighted with victory at Burnley.The win meant United closed the gap on Chelsea, at least temporarily before Frank Lampard's side play Arsenal on Sunday, to one point and has given the squad a huge confidence boost."Confidence is reway Russia Ukraine Uruguay